Check accepting and cash dispensing automated banking machine system and method

ABSTRACT

An automated banking machine system and method includes ATMs which accept checks and dispense cash to users. The ATMs are operated to acquire image and magnetic data from deposited checks to determine the genuineness of checks and the authority of a user to receive cash for such checks. Cash may be dispensed to the user from the ATM in exchange for the deposited check. The ATMs dispense cash responsive to communications with a transaction host.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims benefit pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S.Provisional Applications 60/660,128 and 60/659,994 filed Mar. 9, 2005.

This Application also claims benefit pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) ofU.S. Provisional Applications 60/677,805; 60/677,804; 60/677,846; and60/677,767 filed May 3, 2005.

This Application also claims benefit pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) ofU.S. Provisional Applications 60/678,091; 60/677,891; 60/678,102; and60/678,094 filed May 4, 2005.

This Application also claims benefit pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) ofU.S. Provisional Application 60/678,916 filed May 6, 2005.

The disclosures of each of these applications is incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to automated banking machines. Specifically thisinvention relates to devices and systems which may receive deposits ofsheets such as checks and/or other instruments, into an automatedbanking machine.

BACKGROUND ART

Automated banking machines are known in the prior art. Automated bankingmachines are commonly used to carry out transactions such as dispensingcash, checking account balances, paying bills and/or receiving depositsfrom users. Other types of automated banking machines may be used topurchase tickets, to issue coupons, to present checks, to print scripand/or to carry out other functions either for a consumer or a serviceprovider. For purposes of this description any device which is used forcarrying out transactions involving transfers of value shall be referredto as an automated banking machine.

The disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,548 issued Nov. 5, 2002 isincorporated herein by reference as though fully rewritten herein.

Thus there exists a need for a deposit accepting apparatus and systemfor use in connection with automated banking machines that has thecapability of handling and imaging more types of items, which may do somore reliably and which can be used in connection with more types oftransactions and systems.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is an object of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention toprovide an automated banking machine.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention to provide an automated banking machine system and method thataccepts deposits and provides cash to a user.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention to provide a deposit accepting apparatus.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention to provide a deposit accepting apparatus for use in connectionwith an automated banking machine.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention to provide a deposit accepting apparatus which can be used toaccept, image and verify the authenticity of items.

Further objects of exemplary embodiments of the present invention willbe made apparent in the following Best Modes For Carrying Out Inventionand the appended claims.

In an exemplary embodiment a deposit accepting apparatus of a cashdispensing ATM operates to accept documents. These documents may includechecks, currency bills and/or other types of documents. A single depositaccepting device may accept multiple types of documents. In thisembodiment a document such as a check is received through an opening inthe housing of the ATM and moved in a transport path therein in a firstdirection by a first transport. Sensors are operative to sense thedocument has moved into a suitable location within the device. Thedocument is then disengaged from the first transport and engaged with apair of second transports which are disposed from one another in thefirst direction. The second transports engage the document and areoperative to move the document in the transport path a directiontransverse of the first direction. The first transport disengages fromthe document such that the second transports can move the document andalign an edge thereof extending along the first direction with aplurality of non-contact sensors. At least one processor operates inaccordance with its programming to control the second transports andcontrols movement of the document in the second direction such that anedge of the document is aligned with the non-contact sensors which serveas a “virtual wall” for purposes of positioning the document.

Once the document is aligned such that an edge extends along the firstdirection in the desired orientation, the first transport reengages thedocument while the second transports disengage. The document is thenmoved again in the first direction past one or more appropriate sensingdevices. In the exemplary embodiment because the document is alignedalong the first direction, documents which are checks may have magneticindicia such as the micr line or other portion thereof, read throughoperation of one or more magnetic sensors such as a magnetic read head.Alternatively or in addition when the document is moved in a firstdirection, the magnetic properties of the document may be read orotherwise sensed in a plurality of locations by one or more magneticsensors which are operative to read magnetic properties of the document,including indicia thereon such as the micr line and/or other features.

In this exemplary embodiment the check is moved in a first directionpast a pair of scanning sensors. The scanning sensors are operative toread optical indicia on each side of the check and to produce image datacorresponding thereto. The data corresponding to the optical indicia maybe processed such that data corresponding to images of the front andrear of the check or portions thereof are generated and stored throughoperation of the processor in one or more data stores of the ATM. Theindicia on the check may also be analyzed for purposes of determininginformation regarding on the check so that it can be used in conductinga transaction.

In this embodiment once a check has been moved past the sensors whichcapture data corresponding to optical indicia, the check is moved ingenerally the first direction into an area which may serve as an escrowarea for checks. In some embodiments the escrow area may be ofsufficient length so that multiple checks or other documents may betemporarily stored therein. In the exemplary embodiment, the machineoperates to determine whether the check is to be accepted or returned tothe customer while the check is held in the escrow area. For example insome embodiments one or more processors in the ATM may operate todetermine if the check can be sufficiently accurately read, redeemed forcash or otherwise processed while the check is stored in the escrowarea. If it is determined that the check cannot be accepted, one or moretransports are operative to move the check out of the ATM so that thecheck is returned to the customer.

Alternatively if the check is found to be suitable for acceptance, thecheck is moved from the escrow area past one or more stamper printers.The stamper printer is operative to apply ink marks to one or moresurfaces of the check so as to indicate that the check has beencancelled or otherwise processed. In an exemplary embodiment the checkis thereafter moved into a vertically extending transport. As the checkenters the vertical transport, printing is conducted on the checkthrough operation of a suitable inkjet or other printer. Appropriateprinting is applied to the check to indicate it has been cancelled orotherwise processed as the check moves past the inkjet printer. Ofcourse printing of various indicia may be applied when other types ofdocuments are processed.

In the exemplary embodiment the inkjet printer has aligned on an opposedside of the transport therefrom, an ink catcher mechanism. The inkcatcher mechanism of the exemplary embodiment includes a movable head.The movable head includes an opening therein such that the opening maybe aligned with the ink spraying nozzles on the head of the inkjetprinter so as to receive ink therein that is not deposited on the checkor other document. The exemplary embodiment of the movable head alsoincludes a wiper. The head is moved through operation of a motor orother moving device at appropriate times so that the wiper engages thehead of the inkjet printer so as to minimize the-buildup of ink andcontaminants thereon. This facilitates accurate printing and helps tominimize the risk of potential damage to checks by the accumulation ofexcess ink within the machine.

Checks or other documents that move past the printer in the verticaltransport are moved downward in the exemplary embodiment into a storagearea. Once the documents have moved adjacent a lower surface of thestorage area a transversely movable plunger mechanism is operative toengage the check and move it out of the vertical transport. In anexemplary embodiment the plunger mechanism is operative to be movablesuch that the check can be either moved into a storage location oneither transverse side of the vertical transport. Once the check ismoved out of the transport by the plunger mechanism the check or otherdocument may be held in intermediate relation between a pair of wallsurfaces and a spring biased backing plate. As a result checks or otherdocuments may be selectively moved by the plunger mechanism for storagein a selected one of the locations in the storage area.

Various approaches may be taken in the operation of automated bankingmachines for storing documents that are received by the documentaccepting mechanism. For example in some embodiments the mechanism mayonly accept checks. In such embodiments the machine may operate inaccordance with its programming to segregate checks that are drawn onthe particular institution owning the ATM that receives the check, fromchecks that are drawn on other institutions. Alternatively the ATM maybe programmed to store valid checks in one compartment and suspectchecks in another compartment. Alternatively in some other embodimentsthe document accepting mechanism may store multiple types of documents.For example in an ATM that accepts currency bills and checks through themechanism, bills may be stored in one compartment while checks arestored in another. Various approaches may be taken based on theprogramming of the particular automated banking machine.

Numerous types of novel systems and methods are taught by the disclosurehereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary deposit accepting apparatusshown in an open condition for servicing.

FIG. 2 is an opposite hand isometric view of the deposit acceptingapparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the devices included in the depositaccepting apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a top isometric view of a portion of an upper platen includingelements of a first transport which moves documents in a firstlongitudinal direction in the deposit accepting apparatus and secondtransports which move documents in a direction transverse to the firstdirection.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the platen and first and second drives shown inFIG. 84.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view corresponding to FIGS. 4 and 5 showing theplaten with rolls of the first and second transports extendingtherethrough.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an upper platen and a lower platen of atransport mechanism of the exemplary deposit accepting apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing the positions of the first and secondtransports corresponding to FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7 with the transports operating to movea document in a first direction.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the first and second transports correspondingto FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 9 with the document moved further intothe deposit accepting apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a front plan view showing the positions of the first andsecond transports.

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 11 showing the document moved in asecond direction transverse to the first direction.

FIG. 14 is a front plan view showing the relative positions of the firstand second transports when a document is moved in a transversedirection.

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 13 showing an edge of the documentaligned with the non-contact sensors.

FIG. 16 corresponds to FIG. 15 and shows the positions of the first andsecond transports.

FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 15 but showing an alternative documentincluding a folded edge.

FIG. 18 is a front view of the first and second transports correspondingto FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is an isometric view showing the movable mounting of theexemplary magnetic read head of the embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a partially sectioned view corresponding to FIG. 19 furthershowing the movable mounting for the magnetic read head.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional side view of the mounting for the magneticread head as shown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 22 is an isometric view showing an ink catcher mechanism of anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a partially exploded view showing the movable head disposedfrom the body of the ink catcher.

FIG. 24 is an exploded isometric view showing the body of the inkcatcher of FIG. 22.

FIG. 25 is a partially exploded view of an exemplary form of the stamperprinter used in the exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 26 is another exploded view of the exemplary stamper printer.

FIG. 27 is a side view showing the eccentric profile of the exemplaryembodiment of the printing roll of the stamper printer.

FIG. 28 is an isometric view of the storage compartment of thealternative deposit accepting mechanism shown with the storagecompartment having its access door in an open position.

FIG. 29 is an isometric view of the guide of the vertically extendingtransport that extends in the storage area.

FIG. 30 is a side view of the vertically extending transport thatextends in the storage area of the exemplary deposit acceptingapparatus.

FIG. 31 is an isometric view of the apparatus shown accepting a documentinto the vertically extending transport.

FIGS. 32 through 35 show the sequential movement of an exemplary plungermember as it operates to move a document held in the verticallyextending transport into a storage location positioned on the left sideof the storage mechanism as shown.

FIG. 36 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 31 showing the verticaltransport of the accepting a document therein.

FIGS. 37 through 40 show the sequential movement of the exemplaryplunger member to move a document in the vertical transport to a storagelocation on the right side of the vertical transport as shown.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT INVENTION

The incorporated disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,548 discloses adeposit accepting device of a cash dispensing ATM. For purposes of thisdisclosure a deposit accepting device shall be construed to encompassany apparatus which senses indicia on documents input to an automatedbanking machine.

A deposit accepting device 420 of an exemplary embodiment and having thefeatures described hereafter is shown in FIG. 1. The deposit acceptingdevice is shown with the mechanism open so as to enable more readilydescribing its components. The deposit accepting mechanism would be openin the manner shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 only when the device is not inoperation. Rather the device would be placed in the open condition forservicing activities such as clearing jams, cleaning, adjusting orreplacing components. This can be readily done in this exemplaryembodiment by a servicer as later described.

The deposit accepting device includes a document inlet opening 422. Inthe exemplary embodiment during operation the inlet opening is incommunication with the outside of the housing of the automated bankingmachine. Documents received through the inlet opening travel along atransport path in the device. The transport path in the device furtherincludes a document alignment area 424 in which documents are aligned tofacilitate the processing thereof. The exemplary form of the unitfurther includes a document analysis area 426. The exemplary documentanalysis area includes scanning sensors and magnetic sensors forpurposes of reading indicia from the documents.

The exemplary form of the device further includes an escrow area 428along the transport path. In the escrow area documents that have beenreceived are stored pending determination to either accept the documentsor return them to the user. The exemplary deposit accepting devicefurther includes a storage area 430 which operates to store documentsthat have been accepted for deposit within the deposit accepting device.Of course it should be understood that this structure is exemplary ofarrangements that may be used.

In the exemplary embodiment documents are received through the openingand the presence of a document is sensed by at least one sensor 432.Sensing a document at the opening at an appropriate time during ATMoperation (such as at a time when a user indicates through an inputdevice of the machine that they wish to input a document) causes atleast one processor to operate so as to control a gate 434. Theprocessor operates upon sensing the document to cause the gate to movefrom the closed position to the open position. This is accomplished inthe exemplary embodiment by a drive moving an actuator member 436 asshown in FIG. 1. The actuator member 436 includes a cam slot 438 whichcauses corresponding movement of the gate 434 to the desired position.In some embodiments the at least one sensor 432 or other sensor in thedevice is operative to sense properties that would indicate whether thedocument being inserted is a double or other multiple document. At leastone processor in the ATM may operate in accordance with its programmingto not accept multiple documents and to cause the ATM to provide atleast one output to advise the user to insert a single document.

Responsive to the sensing of the document and other conditions asdetermined by at least one processor, a first transport 440 operates tomove the document into the document alignment area. In the exemplaryembodiment the document is moved in engaged relation between a beltflight 442 and rollers 444. As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, rollers 444extend in openings 446 in an upper platen 448 to engage or at least movein very close proximity to belt flight 442. As shown in FIG. 4, rollers444 are mounted on a movable carriage 450. Carriage 450 is movablerotationally about a shaft 452. Movement of the carriage 450 enablesselectively positioning of the rollers 444 to be in proximity to thesurface of belt flight 442 or to be disposed away therefrom for reasonsthat are later discussed. After the document is sensed as having movedinto the device the processor operates to cause the gate to be closed.Alternatively if a user has provided inputs through input devices on themachine indicating that they will be depositing more documents in themachine, the gate may remain open until the last document is deposited.

As shown in FIG. 4 through 6, platen 448 in the operative position is inadjacent relation with a lead in guide 454. Guide portion 454 and platen448 include corresponding contoured edges 456, 458. The contoured edgesof the exemplary embodiment are of a toothed contoured configuration.This configuration is used in the exemplary embodiment to reduce therisk that documents will become caught at the adjacent edges of theplaten and the guide. The toothed contoured configuration of theadjacent surfaces helps to minimize the risk that documents catch or arefolded or damaged as they pass the adjacent surfaces. Of course itshould be understood that this approach is exemplary and in otherembodiments other approaches may be used.

In the exemplary embodiment the document alignment area includestransverse transport rolls 460 and 462. The transverse transport rollsextend through apertures in the platen 464 that supports belt flight442. The transverse transport rolls of the exemplary embodiment areconfigured to have axially tapered surfaces extending in eachlongitudinal direction from the radially outermost extending portion ofthe roll so as to minimize the risks of documents being caught by asurface thereof. In alternative embodiments transverse transport rollsmay have simple or compound curved surfaces to minimize the risk ofcatching transversely moving documents, which configurations shall alsobe referred to as tapered for purposes of this disclosure. In theexemplary embodiment the upper surface of the transverse transport rollsare generally at about the same level as the upper surface of beltflight 442. In addition each of the transverse transport rolls are inoperative connection with a drive device. The drive device of theexemplary embodiment enables the transverse transport rolls to moveindependently for purposes of aligning documents as later discussed.

In supporting connection with platen 448 are a pair of transversefollower rolls 466 and 468. The transverse follower rolls each extend ina corresponding opening in the platen 448. Transverse follower roll 466generally corresponds to the position of transverse transport roll 460.Likewise transverse follower roll 468 corresponds to the position oftransverse transport roll 462. As shown in FIG. 4, rolls 466 and 468 aresupported on a movable carriage 470. Carriage 470 is rotatably movableabout shaft 452. A drive 472 is selectively operative responsive tooperation of one or more processors in the banking machine to cause themovement of carriage 470 and carriage 450. As a result, drive 472 of theexemplary embodiment is selectively operative to dispose rollers 444adjacent to belt flight 442 or dispose the rollers therefrom. Likewisedrive 472 is selectively operative to place transverse follower rolls466 and 468 in adjacent relation with transverse transport rolls 460 and462. These features are useful for purposes of aligning documents aswill be later discussed. Of course this approach to a transversetransport for documents is exemplary and in other embodiments otherapproaches may be used.

The document alignment area 424 further includes a plurality ofalignment sensors 474. In the exemplary embodiment non-contact sensorsare used, which can sense the document without having to have anyportion of the sensor contact the document. The exemplary alignment areaincludes three alignment sensors that are disposed from one anotheralong the transport direction of belt flight 442. In the exemplaryembodiment one sensor is aligned transversely with each of rolls 460 and462 and a third sensor is positioned intermediate of the other twosensors. The alignment sensors of the exemplary embodiment are radiationtype and include an emitter and a receiver. The sensors sense thedocuments that move adjacent thereto by detecting the level of radiationfrom the emitter that reaches the receiver. It should be understood thatalthough three alignment sensors are used in the exemplary embodiment,other embodiments may include greater or lesser numbers of such sensors.Further while the alignment sensors are aligned along the direction ofdocument transport in the exemplary embodiment, in other embodimentsother sensor arrangements may be used such as a matrix of sensors, aplurality of transversely disposed sensors or other suitablearrangement.

The operation of the document alignment area will now be described withreference to FIGS. 8 through 18. In the exemplary embodiment when adocument is sensed entering the device, carriage 450 which is controlledthrough the drive 472 is positioned such that rollers 444 are positionedin adjacent relation to belt flight 442. This position is shown in FIG.8. In this document receiving position carriage 470 is moved such thatthe transverse follower rolls 466 and 468 are disposed away from thetransverse transport rolls 460 and 462.

In response to sensing a document 476 being positioned in the inletopening 422 and other appropriate conditions, the at least one processoris operative to cause the first transport 440 to move belt flight 442.If a double or other multiple document is sensed the first transport maynot run or may run and then return the document to the user aspreviously discussed. Moving belt flight 442 inward causes the firstdocument to be moved and engaged with the transport in sandwichedposition between the rollers 444 and the belt flight as shown in FIG. 9.In this position the transverse transport and transverse follower rollsare disposed away from one another so that the document 476 can move inengagement with the first transport into the document alignment area.The tapered surfaces of the transverse transport rolls 460,462facilitate the document moving past the rolls without snagging. Itshould also be noted that projections on the surface of platen 464operate to help to move the document by minimizing the risk of thedocument snagging on various component features. Further the projectionson the platen help to minimize the effects of surface tension that mightotherwise resist document movement and/or cause damage to the document.Of course these approaches are exemplary, and other embodiments mayemploy other approaches.

Position sensors for documents are included in the document alignmentarea and such sensors are operative to sense when the document has movedsufficiently into the document alignment area so that the document canbe aligned. Such sensors may be of the radiation type or other suitabletypes. When the document 476 has moved sufficiently inward, the firsttransport is stopped. In the stopped position of the transport, thedrive 472 operates to move carriage 470 as shown in FIG. 12. This causesthe transverse transport and follower rolls to move adjacent with thedocument 476 positioned therebetween so as to engage the document.

Thereafter as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 the drive 472 is operative tomove the carriage 450. This causes the rollers 444 to be disposed frombelt flight 442 which disengages this transport with respect to thedocument. Thereafter the one or more drives which are operative to movethe transverse transport rolls, operate responsive to at least oneprocessor so as to move document 476 in a direction transverse to thedirection of prior movement by belt flight 442 as well as to deskew thedocument. As shown in FIG. 15, the document 476 is moved sideways untila longitudinal edge 478 is aligned with the alignment sensors 474. Inthe exemplary embodiment the alignment sensors .474 provide a virtualwall against which to align the longitudinal edge of the document. Thesensing of the document by the alignment sensors 474 enables precisepositioning of the document and aligning it in a desired position whichfacilitates later reading indicia therefrom. In an exemplary embodimentin which the documents are checks, the precise alignment of thelongitudinal edge enables positioning of the document and its micr linethereon so as to be in position to be read by a read head as laterdiscussed. Of course in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

In some exemplary embodiments the alignment sensors are in operativeconnection with one or more processors so that the transports arecontrolled responsive to the sensors sensing a degree of reduction inradiation at a receiver from an associated emitter of a sensor as thedocument moves toward a blocking position relative to the sensor. Theexemplary embodiment may be configured such that a drive operating thetransverse transport roll may cease to further move the sheettransversely when the alignment sensor which is transversely alignedwith the transport roll senses a certain reduction in the amount ofradiation reaching the sensor from the emitter. Thereafter the otherdrive operating the other transverse transport roll may continue tooperate until the alignment sensor that corresponds to that transportroll senses a similar degree of reduction. In this way the processoroperating the independently controlled transverse transport rolls causethe longitudinal edge of the document to be aligned with the virtualwall produced through use of the sensors.

In alternative embodiments the apparatus may operate in accordance withits programming to cause the respective transverse transport rolls tomove the document transversely such that a reduction in radiation fromthe respective emitter is sensed reaching the corresponding receiveruntil no further reduction occurs. This corresponds to a condition wherethe document fully covers the corresponding receiver. Thereafter therespective drive for the transverse transport roll may be reversed indirection to a desired level such as, for example, fifty percent of thetotal reduction which would indicate that the transverse edge ispositioned to cover approximately fifty percent of the receiver. In thisway this alternative embodiment may be able to align documents that haverelatively high radiation transmissivity or transmissivity that isvariable depending on the area of the document being sensed by thesensor. Alternatively a transverse linear array of sensors, such as CCDsmay be used to determine the transverse position of a particular portionof the edge of the sheet. A plurality of spaced arrays may be used tosense the position of the sheet. Of course these approaches areexemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

Once the document has been aligned and moved to the position shown inFIG. 15, the drive 472 operates to move the carriage 450 such that therollers 444 are again moved adjacent to belt flight 442. Thereafter thedrive moves the carriage 470 so as to dispose the transverse followerrolls 466 and 468 away from the transverse transport rolls. Thisposition is shown in FIG. 8. Thereafter the now aligned document can befurther moved along the transport path through movement of the firsttransport out of the document alignment area of the device to thedocument analysis area.

FIGS. 17 and 18 disclose an operational feature of the exemplaryembodiment where a document 480 has a folded edge. In this exemplarysituation the folded edge is configured so that the alignment sensor 474which corresponds to transverse transport roll 462 cannot sense alongitudinal edge of the document until the document is unduly skewed.However, in this situation the middle alignment sensor will be operativeto sense the middle portion of the longitudinal edge as will thealignment sensor that corresponds to transverse transport roll 460before sensor 474 senses the edge of the document. In the exemplaryembodiment the at least one processor that controls the operation of thedrives for the transverse transport rolls is operative to controlmovement of the document transversely when the middle alignment sensorsenses the edge of the document even through one of the end sensors hasnot. This is true even for a folded document or a document that has beentorn. The at least one processor controls each transverse roll to movethe document transversely until two of the three sensors detect and edgeof the document in the desired aligned position. In this way even suchan irregular document is generally accurately aligned in thelongitudinal direction from the transport.

It should be understood that the exemplary embodiment uses radiationtype sensors for purposes of aligning the document in the alignmentsection. In other embodiments other types of sensors such as sonicsensors, inductance sensors, air pressure sensors or other suitablesensors or combinations thereof, may be used.

Once the document has been aligned in the document alignment area of thetransport path, the deposit accepting device operates responsive to theprogramming associated with one or more processors, to cause thedocument to be moved along the transport path by the first transportinto the document analysis area. In the exemplary embodiment thedocument analysis area includes at least one magnetic sensing devicewhich comprises the magnetic read head 482. Magnetic read head 482 is insupporting connection with platen 448 and in the exemplary embodiment ismovable relative thereto. The alignment of the document in the documentalignment area is operative in the exemplary embodiment to place themicr line on the check in corresponding relation with the magnetic readhead. Thus as the document is moved by the first transport into thedocument analysis area, the micr line data can be read by the magneticread head. Of course in some alternative embodiments micr or othermagnetic indicia may be read through other magnetic sensing elementssuch as the type later discussed, or optically, in the manner shown inU.S. Pat. No. 6,474,548, for example.

FIGS. 19 through 21 show an exemplary form of the movable mounting forthe magnetic read head 482. In the exemplary embodiment the magneticread head is positioned in a retainer 484. Retainer 484 includes a firstprojection 486 that extends in and is movable in an aperture 488.Retainer 484 also includes a projection 490 which is movable in anaperture 492. A tension spring 494 extends through a saddle area 496 ofthe housing 484. The saddle area includes two projections which acceptthe spring 494 therebetween. This exemplary mounting for the magneticread head provides for the head to float such that it can maintainengagement with documents that are moved adjacent thereto. However, themovable character of the mounting which provides both for angular andvertical movement of the read head reduces risk of snagging documents asthe documents move past the read head. Further the biased springmounting is readily disengaged and enables readily replacing themagnetic read head in situations where that is required. Of course thisapproach is exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may beused.

The exemplary document analysis area includes in addition to the readhead a magnetic sensing element 498. The magnetic sensing element insome exemplary embodiments may read magnetic features across thedocument as the document is moved in the document analysis area. In someembodiments the magnetic reading device may be operative to readnumerous magnetic features or lines so as to facilitate the magneticprofile of the document as discussed herein. In some embodiments themagnetic sensing element may sense areas of the document in discreteelements which provide a relatively complete magnetic profile of thedocument or portions thereof. In some embodiments the magnetic sensingcapabilities may be sufficient so that a separate dedicated read headfor reading the micr line of checks is not required. Of course theseapproaches are exemplary and may vary depending on the type of documentswhich are being analyzed through the system.

The exemplary document analysis area further includes a first scanningsensor 500 and a second scanning sensor 502. The scanning sensors areoperative to sense optical indicia on opposed sides of the document. Thescanning sensors in combination with at least one processor areoperative to produce data which corresponds to a visual image of eachside of the document. This enables analysis of visual indicia ondocuments through operation of at least one processor in the ATM. In thecase of checks and other instruments the scanning sensors also enablecapturing data so as to produce data which corresponds to image of acheck which may be used for processing an image as a substitute check,and/or other functions.

In some embodiments, the data corresponding to images of the documentsmay be used by the ATM to provide outputs to a user. For example, animage of a check may be output through a display screen of the ATM so auser may be assured that the ATM has captured the image data. In somecases at least one processor in the ATM may apply digital watermarks orother features in the data to minimize the risk of tampering. In someembodiments at least one processor may operate in accordance with itsprogramming to indicate through visual outputs to a user with the imagethat security features have been applied to the image data. This mayinclude outputs in the form of words and/or symbols which indicate asecurity feature has been applied. This helps to assure a user that theATM operates in a secure manner in processing the accepted check. Ofcourse, this approach is exemplary of things that may be done in someembodiments.

In alternative embodiments the programming of one or more processorsassociated with the ATM may enable the scanning sensors, magneticsensors and other sensing elements to gather data which is usable toanalyze other types of documents. Other types of sensing elements mayinclude, for example, UV, IR, RFID, fluorescence, RF and other sensorsthat are capable of sensing properties associated with document.Documents may include for example receipts, certificates, currency,vouchers, travelers checks, tickets or other document types. The datagathered from the sensors in the analysis area may be processed forpurposes of determining the genuineness of such items and/or the typeand character thereof. Of course the nature of the sensors included inthe analysis area may vary depending on the type of documents to beprocessed by the device. Also some embodiments may operate so that if amicr line or other magnetic characters on the document are not alignedwith the magnetic read head, the document can nonetheless be analyzedand processed using data from other sensors.

It should also be noted that documents are moved in the documentanalysis area through engagement with a plurality of driving rolls 504.The driving rolls 504 operate in response to one or more drives that arecontrolled responsive to operation of one or more processors in the ATM.The drives are operative to move documents into proximity with and pastthe sensors so as to facilitate the reading of indicia thereon. Thedocument may be moved in one or more directions to facilitate thereading and analysis thereof.

Once a document has been moved through the document analysis area, thedocument passes along the transport path into escrow area 428. Escrowarea 428 includes a third transport 506. Transport 506 includes an upperbelt flight 508. The plurality of cooperating rollers 510 supportedthrough platen 449 are positioned adjacent to belt flight 508 in theoperative position. Documents entering the escrow area are moved inengagement with belt flight 508 and intermediate to belt flight and therollers.

In the exemplary embodiment documents that have been passed through thedocument analysis area are moved in the escrow area where the documentsmay be stopped for a period of time during which decisions are madeconcerning whether to accept the document. This may include for example,making a determination through operation of the ATM or other connectedsystems concerning whether to accept an input check. If it is determinedthat the check should not be accepted, the direction of the transportsare reversed and the check is moved from the escrow area through thedocument analysis area, the document alignment area and back out of theATM to the user. Alternatively if the decision is made to accept thedocument into the ATM, the document is moved in a manner later discussedfrom the escrow area to the document storage area of the device.

In some exemplary embodiments the escrow area may be sufficiently largeto hold several checks or other documents therein. In this way a userwho is conducting a transaction involving numerous checks may have allthose checks accepted in the machine, but the programming of the machinemay enable readily returning all those checks if the user elects to doso or if any one or more of the documents is determined to beunacceptable to the machine. Alternatively or in addition, storagedevices such as belt storage mechanisms, transports or other escrowdevices may be incorporated into the transport path of a depositaccepting device so that more numerous documents may be stored thereinand returned to the user in the event that a transaction is notauthorized to proceed. Of course these approaches are exemplary.

It should be noted that the exemplary escrow area includes a lowerplaten with a plurality of longitudinal projections which extendthereon. The longitudinal projections facilitate movement of thedocument and reduce surface tension so as to reduce the risk of thedocument being damaged.

In the exemplary embodiment the escrow area further includes a stamperprinter 512. In the exemplary embodiment the stamper printer issupported through platen 449 and includes an ink roll type printer whichis described in more detail in FIGS. 25 through 27. The escrow areafurther includes a backing roll 514 which operates to assure thatdocuments move in proximity to the stamper printer so that indicia canbe printed thereon.

The exemplary form of the stamper printer is shown in greater detail inFIGS. 25 through 27. The exemplary printer includes an eccentric inkbearing roll 518 shown in FIG. 27. The eccentric shape of the inkbearing roll in cross section includes a flattened area 520 which isdisposed radially closer to a rectangular opening 522 which extends inthe roll, than a printing area 524 which is angularly disposed and inopposed relation thereof. The flattened area is generally positionedadjacent to documents when documents are moved through the escrow areaand printing is not to be conducted thereon by the stamper printer. Inthe exemplary embodiment the ink roll 518 is encapsulated in plastic andis bounded by a plastic coating or cover about its circumference.Apertures or openings are cut therethrough in the desired design that isto be printed on the documents. As can be appreciated, the apertureswhich are cut in the plastic which encapsulates the outer surface of theink bearing roll enables the ink to be transferred from the ink holdingroll material underlying the plastic coating, to documents in the shapeof the apertures. For example in the embodiment shown a pair of angledlines are printed on documents by the stamper printer. Of course thisapproach is exemplary and in other embodiments other types of inkingmechanisms and/or designs may be used.

In the exemplary embodiment the ink roll 518 is supported on a firstshaft portion 526 and a second shaft portion 528. The shaft portionsinclude rectangular projections that are generally rectangular inprofile 523, that extend in the opening 522 of the ink roll. The shaftportions include flanged portions 530 and 532 that are disposed from theradial edges of the roll. Shaft portions 526 and 528 include aninterengaging projection 525 and access 527, as well as a tab 529 andrecess that engage and serve as a catch, which are operative to engageand be held together so as to support the roll.

Shaft portion 526 includes an annular projection 534. Annular projection534 is adapted to engage in a recess which is alternatively referred toas a slot (not separately shown) which extends generally vertically in abiasing tab 536 as shown in FIG. 25. Biasing tab 536 is operative toaccept the projection in nested relation and is operative to provide anaxial biasing force against shaft portion 526 when the first shaftportion is positioned therein. This arrangement enables holding theshaft portion in engaged relation with the biasing tab. However, when itis desired to change the stamper printer and/or the ink roll therein,the biasing tab may be moved such that the annular projection may beremoved from the interengaging slot by moving the projection 534 upwardin the recess so as to facilitate removal of the printer and ink roll.The biasing tab is supported on a bracket 538 that is in supportingconnection with the platen which overlies the escrow area.

Second shaft portion 528 includes an annular projection 540. Projection540 includes on the periphery thereof an angled radially outwardextending projection 542. Projection 542 has a particular contour whichis angled such that the transverse width of the projection increaseswith proximity to the flange portion 542. This configuration is helpfulin providing a secure method for moving the ink roll but alsofacilitates changing the ink roll and stamper printer when desired.

In the exemplary embodiment the ink roll 518 is housed within a housing544. Housing 544 is open at the underside thereof such that the printingarea 524 can extend therefrom to engage a document from the escrow area.Housing 544 also includes two pairs of outward extending ears 546. Ears546 include apertures therein that accept housing positioningprojections 545 on the associated mounting surface of the device and areoperative to more precisely position the housing and the ink roll on thesupporting platen and to facilitate proper positioning when a new inkroll assembly is installed. Housing 544 also includes apertures 543through which the shaft portions extend. A flange portion is positionedadjacent to each aperture.

In the exemplary embodiment shaft portion 528 is driven through a clutchmechanism 548. Clutch mechanism 548 of the exemplary embodiment is awrap spring clutch type mechanism which is selectively actuatablethrough electrical signals. The clutch is driven from a drive through agear 550. The clutch 548 outputs rotational movement through a coupling552. Coupling 552 includes the annular recess that corresponds toprojection 540 and a radial recess which corresponds in shape toprojection 542. Thus in the exemplary embodiment the force of thebiasing tab enables the coupling 552 to solidly engage shaft portion528.

During operation gear 550 which is operatively connected to a driveprovides a mechanical input to the clutch 548. However, the ink rollgenerally does not rotate. Transport 506 is operative to move a documentin the transport in the escrow area responsive to signals from aprocessor. Sensors such as radiation sensors in the escrow area areoperative to indicate one or more positions of the document to theprocessor. When the document is to be marked with the stamper printer itis positioned adjacent to the ink roll by operation of a processorcontrolling the transport in the escrow area. A signal is sentresponsive to the processor to the clutch 548. This signal is operativeto engage the coupling 552 which causes the shaft portions 528 and 526to rotate the ink roll 518. As the ink roll rotates the printing area524 engages the surface of the document causing ink markings to beplaced thereon. The ink roll rotates in coordination with movement ofthe document. The clutch is operative to cause the coupling to carry outone rotation such that after the document has been marked, the printingarea is again disposed upward within the housing. The flattened portion520 of the ink roll is again disposed in its initial position facing thedocument. Thus documents are enabled to pass the stamper printer 512without having any unwanted markings thereon or without being snagged bythe surfaces thereof.

It should be understood that when it is desired to change the stamperprinter ink roll because the ink thereon has become depleted oralternatively because a different type of marking is desired, this maybe readily accomplished. A servicer does this by deforming or otherwisemoving the biasing tab 536 and moving the shaft portion 526 upward suchthat the annular projection 534 no longer extends in the slot in thebiasing tab. This also enables projection 534 to be moved upward and outof a stationary slot 554 in the bracket 538. As the annular projection534 is moved in this manner the annular projection 540 and radialprojection 542 are enabled to be removed from the corresponding recessesin the coupling 552. This enables the housing 544 to be moved such thatthe ears 546 on the housing can be separated from the positioningprojections which help to assure the proper positioning of the ink rollwhen the housing is in the operative position. Thereafter a new housingshaft and ink roll assembly can be installed. This may be accomplishedby reengaging the projections 540 and 542 with the coupling 552 andengaging the projection 534 in the slot of biasing tab 536. During suchpositioning the positioning projections are also extended in the ears546 of the housing, to locate the housing and reliably position the inkroll.

It should further be understood that although only one ink roll is shownin the exemplary embodiment, alternative embodiments may includemultiple ink rolls or multiple stamper printers which operate to printindicia on checks. Such arrangements may be used for purposes ofprinting varied types of information on various types of documents. Forexample in some situations it may be desirable to return a document thathas been processed through operation of the device to the user. In suchcircumstances a stamper printer may print appropriate indicia on thedocument such as a “void” stamp or other appropriate marking. Of coursethe type of printing that is conducted may vary as is appropriate forpurposes of the particular type of document that is being processed. Inother embodiments alternative approaches may be used.

In the exemplary embodiment a document that is to be moved from theescrow area can be more permanently stored in the machine by moving thedocument to a storage area 430. Documents are moved from the escrow areatoward the storage area by moving the document in engagement with beltflight 508 so that the document engages a curved deflector 554.Deflector 554 causes the document to engage a vertical transport 556that extends in the storage area 430. As best shown in FIG. 30 verticaltransport 556 includes two continuous belts that are driven by a drive558. The transport 556 includes a pair of disposed belts, each of whichhas a belt flight 560. Each belt flight 560 extends in generally opposedrelation of a corresponding rail 562 of a vertical guide 564. As shownin FIG. 29 guide 564 of the exemplary embodiment is constructed so thatthe rails 562 are biased toward the belt flights by a resilientmaterial. This helps to assure the document can be moved between thebelt flights and the rails in sandwiched relation. Such a document 568is shown moving between the rails and the belt flights in FIG. 30.

It should also be noted that in the exemplary embodiment the drive 558includes a spring biasing mechanism 568. The biasing mechanism acts onlower rolls 570 to assure proper tension is maintained in the beltflights 560.

Further in the exemplary embodiment the transport belts are housedwithin a housing which includes a pair of spaced back walls 572. Aslater discussed, back walls 572 serve as support surfaces for stacks ofdocuments that may be stored in a first section or location of thestorage area of the device. Similarly guide 564 includes a pair oftransversely disposed wall surfaces 574. Wall surfaces 574 providesupport for a stack of documents disposed in a second section orlocation of the storage area. Also as shown in FIG. 30, the verticaltransport 556 moves documents to adjacent a lower surface 576 whichbounds the interior of the storage area. Document sensing devices areprovided along the path of the vertical transport so that the drive 558can be stopped through operation of at least one processor once thedocument has reached the lower surface. This helps to assure thatdocuments are not damaged by movement in the drive. Of course theseapproaches are exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches maybe used.

In the exemplary embodiment when at least some documents are moved fromthe escrow area into the vertical transport, the device operates toprint indicia thereon. This may be indicia of various types as describedherein, as would be appropriate for the types of documents beingprocessed. In the exemplary embodiment printing on the documents iscarried out through operation of an inkjet printer 578. The inkjetprinter includes a removably mounted printhead that is adjacent todocuments as they are moved in the vertical transport portion of thesheet path. The inkjet printer includes nozzles which are operative toselectively expel ink therefrom toward the sheet path and shoot ink ontothe adjacent surface of the document. The nozzles of the inkjet printeroperate in accordance with the programming of a processor which isoperative to drive the inkjet printer to expel ink selectively therefromto produce various forms of characters on the documents as may bedesired. For example in an exemplary embodiment the printer may beoperative to print indica on checks so as to indicate transactioninformation and/or the cancellation of such checks. In the exemplaryembodiment the print head is releasibly mounted through moveable membersto enable ready installation and removal.

The exemplary embodiment further includes an ink catching mechanism 580which is alternatively referred to herein as an ink catcher. In theexemplary embodiment the ink catching mechanism is operative to captureink that may be discharged from the printhead at times when no documentis present. This may occur for example if a document is misaligned inthe transport or if the machine malfunctions so that it attemptsprinting when no document is present. Alternatively the inkjet printermay, be operated responsive to at least one processor at times whendocuments are not present for purposes of conducting head cleaningactivities or other appropriate activities for assuring the reliabilityof the inkjet printer. Further the exemplary embodiment of the inkcatcher mechanism is operative to tend the printhead by wiping thenozzles so as to further facilitate reliable operation. Of course itshould be understood that the exemplary ink catcher shown and describedis only one of many ink catcher configurations that may be used.

An exemplary form of the ink catching mechanism is shown in FIGS. 22through 24. The ink catching mechanism includes an ink holding body 582with an ink holding area therein. Body 582 has thereon an annularprojecting portion 584. Projecting portion 584 has an opening 586therein. Opening 586 of the projecting portion is in fluid communicationwith the ink holding interior area of the main portion of the body. Ofcourse this body configuration is merely exemplary.

A head portion 588 is comprised of a body portion configured to extendin overlying relation of the projecting portion 584. Head portion 588 ofthe exemplary embodiment comprises a generally annular body member thatincludes a flattened area 590 which has an opening 592 therein. Headportion 588 also has in supporting connection therewith a resilientwiper member 594 extending radially outward therefrom in an areadisposed angularly away from the opening 592.

As shown in FIG. 24 the exemplary embodiment of body 582 is of agenerally clamshell construction and includes a lower portion 596 and anupper portion 598. The upper and lower portions fit together as shown toform the body, including the annular projecting portion. Also housedwithin the interior of the exemplary embodiment of the body is an inkabsorbing member 600. The ink absorbing member is operative to absorbink which passes into the interior of the body through opening 586. Thebody is releasibly mounted in the machine through a mounting portion 601which accepts suitable fasteners or other holding devices.

In the operative condition the head portion 588 extends in overlyinggenerally surrounding relation of the projecting portion 584. The headportion is enabled to be selectively rotated through operation of adrive 602 that is operatively connected therewith. A disk member 604 andsensor 606 are operative to sense at least one rotational position ofthe head portion 588.

In operation of the exemplary form of the device the head portion 588 isgenerally positioned as shown in FIG. 22 with the opening 592 of thehead portion in aligned relation with the opening 586 in the projectingportion of the body. The projecting portion extends within an interiorarea of the rotatable head portion. In this position ink expelled fromthe inkjet printhead which does not strike a document, passes into theinterior of the body through the aligned openings. Thus for example ifthe programming of the machine calls for the machine to periodicallyconduct a head cleaning operation in which the nozzles of the inkjetprinthead are fired, the ink can be transmitted through sheet path inthe area of the transport where documents are normally present and intothe body of the ink catcher mechanism. Thereafter or periodically inaccordance with the programming of the machine, a processor in operativeconnection with the drive is operative to cause the drive 602 to rotatethe head portion 588. Rotation of the head portion is operative to causethe flexible wiper member 594 to engage the print head and wipe over theopenings of the inkjet nozzles. This avoids the buildup of ink which canprevent the efficient operation of the inkjet printer. Once the wiperhas moved across the nozzles the-head returns to the position so thatexcess ink is accepted within the body. This is done in the exemplaryembodiment by having the head portion rotate in a first rotationaldirection about a full rotation. In this way the head portion rotatesfrom the position where the openings in the head portion and projectingportion are aligned with the print head. The head portion is rotated sothe openings are no longer aligned and the flexible wiper member engagesthe print head and wipes across the nozzles thereof. The head portioncontinues to rotate until the openings are again aligned.

In the exemplary embodiment the drive operates responsive to the atleast one processor to rotate the head portion in the first rotationaldirection about 360 degrees and then stops. In other embodiments thedrive may reverse direction and/or operate the head portion to undergomultiple rotations. In other embodiments the movable member may includemultiple openings and wiper members and may move as appropriate based onthe configuration thereof. In other embodiments the movable member mayinclude multiple openings and wiper members and may move as appropriatebased on the configuration thereof.

In some embodiments the at least one processor may operate the printhead periodically to clean or test the print head, and may operate theink catcher to wipe the nozzles only after such a cleaning or test. Insome alternative embodiments wiping action may be done after every printhead operation or after a set number of documents have been printedupon. Various approaches may be taken in various embodiments.

In exemplary embodiments suitable detectors are used to determine whenthe print head needs to be replaced. At least one processor in operativeconnection with the print head may operate to provide an indication whenthe print cartridge should be changed. Such an indication may be givenremotely in some embodiments, by the machine sending at least onemessage to a remote computer. In the exemplary embodiment a servicer mayreadily remove an existing print cartridge such as by moving one or morefasteners, tabs, clips or other members. A replacement cartridge maythen be installed, and secured in the machine by engaging it with theappropriate members. In the exemplary embodiment electrical contacts forthe print head are positioned so that when the cartridge is in theoperative position the necessary electrical connections for operatingthe print head are made. The new cartridge is installed with the printhead thereof positioned in aligned relation with the opening in the headportion of the ink catcher so that ink from the print head will passinto the ink catcher and be held therein if there is no document in thesheet path between the print head and the ink catcher at the time ink isexpelled therefrom.

In the exemplary embodiment after a new ink cartridge has been installeda servicer may test the operation of the printer. This is accomplishedby providing appropriate inputs to the machine. A servicer moves a sheetinto the sheet path. This may be done in some cases manually and inother cases by providing and moving a sheet in the sheet path throughone or more transports. One or more inputs from the servicer to inputdevices of the machine causes the processor to operate the printer toexpel ink from the print head toward the sheet path. If the sheet ispresent ink impacts the sheet to print thereon. In some cases theprocessor operates the print head to print an appropriate pattern suchas one that tests that all the nozzles are working. In other embodimentsother indicia may be printed. Of course if no sheet is present in thesheet path, the ink from the print head passes into the body of the inkcatcher through the opening in the head portion. Of course this approachis exemplary, and in other embodiments other approaches and processesmay be used.

In some embodiments after printing is conducted the machine may operateto wipe the nozzles of the print head. This may be done in response tothe programming associated with the processor and/or in response to aninput from a servicer. In such a situation the drive operates to rotatethe head portion 588 about the projecting portion 584 so that theflexible wiper member engages the print head. In the exemplaryembodiment the wiper member wipes across the print head as the headportion of the ink catcher makes about one rotation from its initialposition. The head portion rotates responsive to the drive until thehead portion is again sensed as having the opening therein aligned withthe print head. This is sensed by the sensor 606 sensing the rotationalposition of the disk member 604. In response to sensing that one headportion is in the position for capturing ink from the print head, theprocessor is operative to cause the drive to cease operation. Of coursethese approaches are exemplary and in other embodiments other approachesmay be used.

In an exemplary embodiment when the ink catching mechanism has becomefilled with ink it is possible to replace the body by disengaging one ormore fasteners that hold it in position and install a new one in theoperative position. Alternatively in some embodiments the body may beopened and the ink absorbing member 600 removed and replaced with a newmember.

In the exemplary embodiment the body is disengaged from the machine bydisengaging the one or more fasteners or other devices that hold themounting portion 601 to the adjacent housing structure of the documentaccepting device. Once this is done the body 580 is moved so that theprojecting portion 584 no longer extends within the interior area of themovable head portion 588. Once this is done the body can be discarded.Alternatively, the body may be opened, the ink absorbing member 600removed, a new ink absorbing member installed and the body again closed.

A new body or one with a new ink absorbing member is installed byextending the projection portion 584 thereof within the interior area ofthe head portion 588. The body is then fastened in place through themounting portion. In response to appropriate inputs to an input deviceof the machine from a servicer, the processor operates to cause thedrive 602 to rotate the head portion 588. The processor may operate inaccordance with its programming to rotate the head portion 588 only asnecessary to align the opening 592 with the print head. Alternativelythe processor may operate the drive to make one or more rotations beforestopping the rotation of the head portion. In some embodiments theprocessor may operate the printer to test its operation as previouslydiscussed, and may then rotate the head portion to wipe the nozzles ofthe print head. Of course these approaches are exemplary and in otherembodiments other approaches may be used.

Thus as can be appreciated the exemplary embodiment of the ink catchingmechanism provides an effective way for the printer to be operated so asto avoid the deposition of excess ink within the ATM as well as toenable the print nozzles to be maintained in a suitable operatingcondition so that printing may be reliably conducted.

In the exemplary embodiment documents such as checks are moved into thestorage area 430 through the vertical transport 556. Such documents areheld initially between the rails 562 of the guide 564 and the beltflights 560 of the vertical transport. In the exemplary embodiment suchdocuments may be selectively stored in one of two available sections(alternatively referred to herein as locations) of the storage area.These include a first storage location 608 positioned on a first side ofthe vertical transport and a second storage location 610 positioned onan opposed transverse side of the vertical transport. Selectivepositioning of documents into the storage locations is accomplishedthrough use of a movable plunger member 612 which operates responsive toone or more processors to disengage documents from the verticaltransport and move the documents into either the first storage locationor second storage location of the storage area.

FIGS. 31 through 35 show the operation of the exemplary plunger memberto move a document 614 into storage location 608. As shown in FIG. 32when the document 614 has moved downward into the storage area, theplunger 612 has been positioned to the right of the document as shown instorage location 610. In the exemplary embodiment movement of theplunger member is accomplished through use of a suitable drive andmovement mechanism such as a rack drive, worm drive, tape drive or othersuitable movement device. Such a drive is represented schematically bydrive 616 in FIG. 3.

Once the document has been moved to the proper position and the verticaltransport is stopped, the plunger 612 moves from the position shown inFIG. 32 to the left so as to engage the document. Such engagement withthe document deforms the contour of the document as shown and begins topull the document transversely away from engagement with the beltflights and the guide rails. A spring biased backing plate 618 which mayhave additional documents in supporting connection therewith, is movedby the action of the plunger as shown in FIGS. 33 and 34. Backing plate618 is biased by a spring or other suitable device so that documents insupporting connection with the backing plate are generally trappedbetween the backing plate and the wall surfaces 574 of the guide.

As represented in FIGS. 34 and 35 as the plunger 612 moved furthertoward the storage location 608, the document disengages from the railsand belts so that the document is eventually held in supported relationwith the backing plate 618 by the plunger. Once the document 614 hasreached this position as shown in FIG. 35 the plunger may be moved againto the right as shown such that the document 614 is integrated into thedocument stack supported on backing plate 618. Further as the plunger612 returns toward its original position, the documents supported on thebacking plate are held in sandwiched relation between the wall surfaces574 of the guide and the backing plate. Thus the document 614 which wasmoved into the storage area has been selectively moved through operationof the plunger into the storage location 608.

FIGS. 36 through 40 show operation of the plunger member to store adocument in storage location 610. As shown in FIG. 37 a document 620 ismoved into the vertical transport and because this document is to bestored in storage location 610 the plunger member 612 is positionedresponsive to operation of the processor to the left of the document asshown. As shown in FIGS. 38 and 39 movement of the plunger member 612toward the right as shown disengages the document from the transport andbrings it into supporting connection with a spring loaded backing plate622. Backing plate 622 is biased by a spring or other suitable biasingmechanism toward the left as shown in FIGS. 39 and 40.

Movement of the plunger 612 to the extent shown in FIG. 40 causes thedocument 620 to be supported in a stack on the backing plate 622. Inthis position the plunger may be again moved to the left such that thedocuments in the stack in storage location 610 are held in sandwichedrelation between the back walls 572 of the vertical transport and thebacking plate.

As can be appreciated in the exemplary embodiment documents can beselectively stored in a storage location of the device by positioningand moving the plunger so that the document is stored in the storagelocation as desired. This enables documents to be segregated intovarious document types. For example in some embodiments the ATM may beoperated such that checks that are drawn on the particular institutionoperating the machine are stored in one storage location of the storagearea 430 while others that are not drawn on that institution are storedin the other storage location. Alternatively in some embodiments wherethe mechanism is used to accept checks and currency bills, bills whichhave been validated may be stored in one storage location while billsthat have been determined to be counterfeit or suspect may be stored inanother storage section. In still further alternative embodiments wherethe device is operated to accept checks and bills, currency bills may bestored in one storage location while checks are stored in another.

In alternative embodiments additional provisions may be made. Forexample in some embodiments one or more aligned vertical transports maybe capable of transporting documents through several vertically alignedstorage areas. In such situations a document may be moved to thevertical level associated with a storage area that is appropriate forthe storage of the document. Once at that level a plunger may movetransversely so as to place the document into the appropriate storagelocation on either side of the vertical transport. In this way numeroustypes of documents can be accepted and segregated within the ATM.

In still other alternative embodiments the storage mechanism may beintegrated with a document picker mechanism such as shown in U.S. Pat.No. 6,331,000 the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. Thusdocuments which have been stored such as currency bills may thereafterbe automatically removed through operation of the picker mechanism anddispensed to users of the ATM machine. Various approaches may be takenutilizing the principals of the described embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 2 exemplary storage area 440 is generally held in aclosed position such that the items stored therein are not accessibleeven to a servicer who has access to the interior of the ATM. This isaccomplished through use of a sliding door 624 which in the exemplaryembodiment is constructed of collapsible sections. The door is enabledto be moved such that access to documents stored in the storage area canbe accessed such as is shown in FIG. 28. In an exemplary embodiment theability to open door 624 is controlled by a lock 626. In the exemplaryembodiment lock 626 comprises a key lock such that authorized personsmay gain access to the interior of the storage area if they possess anappropriate key.

In some exemplary embodiments the deposit accepting device may bemounted in movable supporting connection with structures in the interiorof the housing of the banking machine. This may be done in the mannershown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,065 the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference. In some exemplary embodiments a servicer may accessthe interior of the banking machine housing by opening one or moreexternal doors. Such doors may require the opening of one or more locksbefore the interior of the housing may be accessed. With such a dooropen the servicer may move the deposit accepting device 420 whilesupported by the housing so that the storage area of the device extendsoutside the housing. This may make it easier in some embodiments toremove documents from the storage area.

In the exemplary embodiment persons authorized to remove documents fromthe storage area may open the lock and move the door 624 to an openposition so as to gain access to the interior of the storage area.Documents that have been positioned in the storage locations can beremoved by moving the backing plates 622 and 618 against the springbiasing force of the respective springs or other biasing mechanisms 617,619, that holds the stacks of stored documents in sandwiched relation.Manually engageable tabs 628 and 630 are provided in the exemplaryembodiment so as to facilitate the servicer's ability to move thebacking plates against the respective biasing force. With the respectivebacking plate moved horizontally away from the vertical transport, thestack of documents between the backing plate and vertical transport canbe removed. Each backing plate can be moved to remove document stacks oneach horizontal side of the vertical transport. Once the storeddocuments have been removed, the backing plates can return automaticallyto the appropriate position to accept more documents due to the biasingforce. Likewise the door 624 can be closed and the lock returned to thelocked position. If the deposit accepting device is movably mounted sothat the storage area is outside the machine, it can be moved back intothe interior of the housing. The housing can then be secured by closingthe doors and locks thereon. This construction of the exemplaryembodiment not only facilitates the removal of checks, currency or otherdocuments, but is also helpful in clearing any jams that may occurwithin the vertical transport.

The exemplary embodiment also provides advantages in terms of clearingjams within the document alignment, analysis and/or escrow areas. Forexample as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the device may be opened such thatthe entire transport path for documents up to the point of the verticaltransport may be readily accessed. As a result in the event that thedocument should become jammed therein, a servicer may unlatch a latchwhich holds a platen in position such as for example latch 632 shown inFIG. 1 and move the platen 448 rotationally and the components supportedthereon to the position shown so as to enable exposing the documentalignment area and document analysis area. As can be appreciated platen448 is mounted through hinges which enable the platen to rotate about anaxis through the hinges so as to facilitate the opening thereof.Likewise the portions of the platen 449 supporting the mechanismsoverlying the escrow area can be opened as shown to expose that area ofthe document transport path so as to facilitate accessing documentstherein. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, platen 449 is rotatable about anaxis that extends generally perpendicular to the axis about which platen448 is rotatable. Further in the exemplary embodiment, platens 448 and449 are configured so that platen 448 must be moved to the open positionbefore platen 449 can be opened. Likewise platen 449 must be closedbefore platen 448 is closed. This exemplary construction enables the useof a single latch to secure the platens in the operative positions, andto enable unsecuring the single latch so that the platens can both bemoved to expose the document alignment, document analysis and escrowareas of the document transport path in the device. Of course, thisapproach is exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may beused.

In servicing the exemplary embodiment of the deposit accepting device420 which for purposes of this service discussion will be described withregard to checks, a servicer generally begins by opening a door or otheraccess mechanism such as a fascia or panel that enables gaining accessto an interior area of the housing of the ATM. In an exemplaryembodiment the check accepting device 420 is supported on slides, andafter unlatching a mechanism that normally holds the device in operativeposition, the device can be moved, while supported by the housing toextend outside the ATM. Of course in some situations and depending onthe type of service to be performed, it may not be necessary to extendthe device outside the ATM housing. Alternatively in some situations aservicer may extend the device outside the housing and then remove thedevice from supporting connection with the ATM housing completely. Thismay be done for example, when the entire device is to be replaced with adifferent device.

The servicer may disengage the latch 632 and rotate platen 448 about theaxis of its hinges. This exposes the areas of the transport path throughthe device in the document alignment area 424 and document analysis area426. It should be noted that when the platen 448 is moved to the openposition the toothed contoured edges 456,458 shown in FIG. 4, are movedapart.

With the platen 448 moved to expose the document alignment and documentanalysis areas, any checks which have become caught or jammed thereincan be removed by the servicer. The servicer can also conduct otheractivities such as cleaning the scanning sensors or the magnetic readhead. Such cleaning may be done using suitable solvents, swabs or othermaterials. The servicer may also clean, align, repair or replace otheritems in the exposed areas of the transport path.

With platen 448 in the open position a servicer may also move platen 449from the closed position to the open position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.Rotating platen 449 about the axis of its supports to the open position,exposes the escrow area 428 of the transport path. A servicer may thenclear any jammed documents from the escrow area. The servicer may alsoclean, align, repair or replace other components that are exposed orotherwise accessible in the escrow area.

Upon completion of service the platen 449 is rotated to the closedposition. Thereafter the platen 448 is rotated to the closed position.This brings the contoured edges 456, 458 back into adjacent alignment.With platen 448 in the closed position the latch 632 is secured to holdboth platens in the closed positions, the check accepting device canthen be moved back into the operating position and secured therein. Theservicer when done, will then close the door or other device to closethe interior of the ATM housing. Of course these approaches areexemplary.

Upon closing the housing the ATM may be returned to service. This mayinclude passing a test document through the transport path through thedeposit accepting device 420 and/or reading indicia of various typesfrom one or more test documents. Of course it should be understood thatthese approaches are exemplary and in other embodiments other approachesmay be used.

Thus the deposit accepting apparatus and system of the exemplaryembodiments achieve at least some of the above stated objectives,eliminate difficulties encountered in the use of prior devices andsystems, and attain the useful results described herein.

In the foregoing description certain terms have been described asexemplary embodiments for purposes of brevity, clarity andunderstanding. However no unnecessary limitations are to be impliedtherefrom because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and areintended to be broadly construed. Moreover the descriptions andillustrations herein are by way of examples and the invention is notlimited to the features shown or described.

Further, in the following claims any feature described as a means forperforming a function shall be construed as encompassing any means knownto those skilled in the art as being capable of carrying out the recitedfunction, and shall not be deemed limited to the particular means shownor described for performing the recited function in the foregoingdescription, or mere equivalents thereof.

Having described the features, discoveries and principles of theinvention, the manner in which it is constructed and operated, any ofthe advantages and useful results attained; the new and usefulstructures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts, combinations,systems, equipment, operations, methods, processes and relationships areset forth in the appended claims.

1. An automated banking machine comprising: at least one input deviceadapted to receive at least one input from users of the machine; atleast output device adapted to provide at least one output to users ofthe machine; at least one currency dispenser adapted to dispensecurrency from the machine to users of the machine; an item acceptingopening adapted to receive into the machine, sheet items from users ofthe machine; at least one sheet item transport in the machine, whereinthe at least one transport is in operative connection with the itemaccepting opening, and wherein the at least one transport includes apair of disposed sheet supporting rail portions; a storage area, whereinthe rail portions of the at least one transport extend in the storagearea and intermediate a first sheet storage location and a second sheetstorage location in the storage area; a movably mounted plunger memberin the storage area, wherein the plunger member is movable transverselybetween the rail portions; at least one drive in operative connectionwith the plunger member, wherein the at least one drive is operative toselectively move the plunger transversely between the rail portions;wherein when a sheet is in the at least one transport, movement of theplunger member in a first transverse direction between the rail portionsis operative to cause a sheet to move to the first storage location, andmovement of the plunger member in a second transverse direction opposedof the first transverse direction is operative to cause the sheet tomove to the second storage location.
 2. The machine according to claim 1and further comprising: a first backing plate movably mounted in thestorage area and bounding the first storage location; a first biasingmechanism in operative connection with the first backing plate andbiasing the first backing plate to move toward the rail portions;wherein movement of the plunger member in the first transverse directioncauses the first backing plate to move against the force of the firstbiasing mechanism in the first transverse direction and the sheet to bein supporting connection with the first backing plate.
 3. The machineaccording to claim 2 and further comprising: a second backing platemovably mounted in the storage area and bounding the second storagelocation; a second biasing mechanism in operative connection with thesecond backing plate and biasing the second backing plate to move towardthe rail portions; wherein movement of the plunger member in the secondtransverse direction causes the second backing plate to move against theforce of the second biasing mechanism in the second transversedirection, and the sheet to be in supporting connection with the secondbacking plate.
 4. The machine according to claim 3 and furthercomprising: at least one processor in operative connection with the atleast one drive; at least one sensing device in operative connectionwith the at least one processor, wherein the at least one sensing deviceis operative to sense the indicia on the sheet; wherein the at least oneprocessor is operative responsive to indicia sensed on the sheet tooperate the drive to move the sheet to one of the first storage locationand second storage location.
 5. The machine according to claim 4 andfurther comprising a sheet path in the machine, wherein the sheet pathextends between the item accepting opening and the storage area, andwherein the at least one sensing device is adapted to sense indicia onthe sheet in the sheet path, and wherein the at least one processor isoperative to position the plunger member on a second transverse side ofthe rail portions opposite the first storage location prior to the sheetbeing in engagement with the rail portions, whereby movement of theplunger member in the first transverse direction when the sheet isbetween the rail portions, moves the sheet to the first storagelocation.
 6. The machine according to claim 5 wherein the at least oneprocessor is operative to position the plunger member on a firsttransverse side of the rail portions opposite the second storagelocation prior to the sheet being in engagement with the rail portions,whereby movement of the plunger member in the second transversedirection when the sheet is between the rail portions moves the sheet tothe second storage location.
 7. The machine according to claim 6 andfurther comprising: a pair of disposed first wall surfaces bounding thefirst storage location and in opposed facing direction of the firstbacking plate; wherein when the plunger member moves the sheet fromengagement with the rail portions to the first storage location, theplunger member moves in the first transverse direction between the firstwall surfaces and moves the sheet in the first transverse directionbeyond the first wall surfaces; and wherein after the sheet is in thefirst storage location, when the plunger member moves in the secondtransverse direction from the first storage location, the sheet ispositioned between the first wall surfaces and the first backing plate.8. The machine according to claim 7 and further comprising: a pair ofopposed second wall surfaces bounding the second storage location and inopposed facing direction of the second backing plate; wherein when theplunger member moves the sheet from engagement with the rail portions tothe second storage location, the plunger member moves in the secondtransverse direction between the second wall surfaces and moves thesheet in the second transverse direction beyond the second wallsurfaces; and wherein the sheet is in the second storage location, whenthe plunger member moves in the first transverse direction from thesecond storage location, the sheet is positioned between the second wallsurfaces and the second backing plate.
 9. The machine according to claim8 wherein the rail portions extend generally vertically in the storagearea, and wherein when the plunger member moves transversely between therail portions the plunger member moves generally horizontally.
 10. Themachine according to claim 9 wherein the at least one sensing devicecomprises a scanning sensor, and wherein the at least one processor isoperative responsive to the scanning sensor to generate datacorresponding to an image of at least a portion of the sheet.
 11. Themachine according to claim 10 wherein the at least one sensing devicefurther comprises a magnetic sensing device.
 12. The machine accordingto claim 11 and further comprising: at least one printer adjacent thesheet path, wherein the at least one printer is in operative connectionwith the at least one processor, and wherein the at least one printer isadapted to print indicia on the sheet in the sheet path.
 13. The machineaccording to claim 12 and further comprising a first sheet movingtransport and a second sheet moving transport, wherein the first sheetmoving transport moves the sheet in a first sheet moving direction andthe second sheet moving transport moves the sheet in a second sheetmoving direction generally perpendicular of the first sheet movingdirection.
 14. The machine according to claim 13 and further comprising:a plurality of noncontact sensors disposed along the first direction,wherein each of the plurality of noncontact sensors is in operativeconnection with the at least one processor; at least one secondtransport drive in operative connection with the second transport andthe at least one processor; wherein the at least one processor isoperative to cause the sheet to be aligned in the first sheet movingdirection by moving the sheet in the second sheet moving direction andsensing the sheet with a plurality of noncontact sensors.
 15. Themachine according to claim 14 and further comprising at least onemovable door overlying the storage area, wherein moving the door enablesaccessing the first and second storage locations.
 16. The machineaccording to claim 14 and further comprising a first stack of sheets inthe first storage location, wherein moving the plunger member in thefirst transverse direction between the rail portions is operative toinclude the sheet in the first stack.
 17. The machine according to claim16 and further comprising a second stack of sheets in the second storagelocation, wherein moving the plunger member in the second transversedirection between the rail portions is operative to include the sheet inthe second stack.
 18. The machine according to claim 14 wherein themagnetic sensing device is adapted to read micr characters on the sheet.19. The machine according to claim 14 wherein the sheet path includes anescrow area between the at least one sensing device and the storagearea.
 20. The machine according to claim 14 wherein the sheet comprisesa check and wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause tobe sent from the machine data corresponding to an image of at least aportion of the check.
 21. The machine according to claim 14 wherein thestorage area is movably mounted in supporting connection with themachine, and wherein the storage area is movable to extend outside themachine.
 22. The machine according to claim 1 and further comprising: atleast one processor in operative connection with the at least one drive;at least one sensing device in operative connection with the at leastone processor, wherein the at least one sensing device is operative tosense indicia on the sheet; wherein the at least one processor isoperative responsive to indicia sensed on the sheet to cause the atleast one drive to move the sheet to one of the first storage locationand the second storage location.
 23. The machine according to claim 1and further comprising at least one processor in operative connectionwith the at least one drive, wherein the at least one processor isoperative to cause the plunger member to be positioned on an opposedside of the rail portions from the storage location to which the sheetwill be moved, prior to the sheet being in the storage area.
 24. Themachine according to claim 1 and further comprising: at least oneprocessor; at least one scanning sensor operative to sense indicia onthe sheet, wherein the at least one scanning sensor is in operativeconnection with the at least one processor; wherein the at least oneprocessor is operative to cause to be sent from the machine, datacorresponding to an image of at least a portion of the sheet.
 25. Themachine according to claim 24 wherein the sheet comprises a check. 26.The machine according to claim 25 and further comprising at least onemagnetic sensing device in operative connection with the at least oneprocessor, wherein the at least one magnetic sensing device is operativeto read micr data on the check, and wherein the at least one processoris operative to cause to be sent from the machine, data corresponding tothe micr data read from the check.
 27. The machine according to claim 1wherein the sheet comprises at least one of a check and a currency bill.